The figure of the great harlot, or Babylon the Great, in Revelation is one of the most vivid images in all of prophecy. To understand who she is, we cannot start in Revelation; we must first look back. The Bible already laid the foundation in the Old Testament, where Babylon and harlotry are woven together as symbols of human rebellion and unfaithfulness to God. Only when we understand this background will we see clearly what John was shown in his vision.
The Birth of Babylon
“Now the whole earth had one language and one speech… they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.’” (Genesis 11:1–4)
Babel (later Babylon) was the first organized human attempt to unify against God. Instead of spreading and filling the earth as God commanded (Genesis 9:1), humanity gathered to build a city and tower as a monument to their own name. This was rebellion, clothed in ambition. God scattered them, but the spirit of Babel (self-exaltation, pride, and idolatry) continued throughout history. Revelation draws directly on this foundation when it names the final world system “Babylon the Great.”
Babylon in Israel’s History
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar conquered Judah, destroyed the Temple, and carried the people into captivity (2 Kings 25). For Israel, Babylon was the supreme enemy: proud, violent, and idolatrous. Prophets used Babylon as the ultimate symbol of arrogance against God:
“Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew gomorrah/”>Sodom and Gomorrah.” (Isaiah 13:19)
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon; And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground.” (Isaiah 21:9)
Ancient Babylon was judged suddenly and decisively. Its fall became a prophetic pattern of God’s judgment on every empire and system that exalts itself against Him.
Harlotry as a Picture of Idolatry
From Isaiah to Hosea, the prophets often described Israel’s unfaithfulness in terms of harlotry. This wasn’t about literal immorality, but spiritual adultery: abandoning God for idols, alliances, and false worship.
“How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers.” (Isaiah 1:21)
“You played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me,” says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 3:1)
“So I will cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brethren—the whole posterity of Ephraim.” (Jeremiah 7:15)
The lesson is clear: harlotry = spiritual unfaithfulness. When God’s people chase after idols, He likens it to marital betrayal. This explains why Revelation uses harlotry to describe the final world system. Babylon the Great is not simply a political or economic entity; it is a spiritual force drawing nations into false worship.
Babylon and Wealth
Babylon also stood for excessive wealth and pride. Isaiah mocked the arrogance of its king:
“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High.’” (Isaiah 14:13–14)
The king of Babylon became a symbol of satanic pride itself. Just as Satan exalted himself against God, Babylon sought glory apart from God, trusting in riches, armies, and idols. This helps us understand Revelation 18, where merchants weep over Babylon’s collapse.
By the time we arrive at Revelation, “Babylon” already means more than a city. It represents the spirit of human pride, rebellion, idolatry, and persecution. Likewise, “harlotry” already means spiritual adultery, which is abandoning God for false worship. When Revelation 17 introduces the “great harlot, Babylon the Great,” John’s readers already knew the weight of these images. They had centuries of prophetic history to draw from. Now, we now turn to Revelation 17 – 18, where John is given a vision of the harlot in her final form. Here, all the threads of rebellion, idolatry, and arrogance come together in one climactic system… Babylon the Great.
The Great Harlot on the Beast
“Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” (Revelation 17:1–2)
The harlot sits on many waters, which Revelation 17:15 interprets: “peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” She represents a worldwide influence. She rides the beast, symbolizing her connection with political power. For a time, the beast supports her. This shows that false religion and worldly governments cooperate to deceive the nations.
She is clothed in purple and scarlet, decked with gold and jewels, holding a golden cup full of abominations (Revelation 17:4). Outward splendor hides inward corruption. On her forehead is written:
“MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:5)
She is the “mother”, meaning she spawns more corruption. False religion throughout history finds its source in Babylon’s spirit. From Babel’s tower to end-time deception, Babylon is the root of rebellion against God.
Drunk with the Blood of the Saints
“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” (Revelation 17:6)
Her intoxication is persecution. She thrives on killing the people of God. Throughout history, empires and religious systems have persecuted believers, but Babylon the Great represents the climax, a global system that delights in silencing and killing the faithful.
The Beast Turns Against the Harlot
“The ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose…” (Revelation 17:16–17)
The kings who once supported her eventually turn on her, destroying her violently. This shows how unstable alliances built on rebellion are. More importantly, it shows that God is in control. Even in their hatred, the rulers fulfill His purpose by bringing judgment on the harlot.
Babylon’s Sudden Fall
“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons/”>demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!” (Revelation 18:2)
Revelation 18 expands on her collapse. Merchants and kings mourn because their wealth and power are gone. Babylon is not only a spiritual system but also an economic one. She represents greed and luxury built on sin.
“Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)
God calls His people to separate from her… not to hide in caves, but to refuse her values, her immorality, and her false worship. To compromise with Babylon is to risk sharing her judgment.
The Harlot vs The Bride
Revelation places two women in contrast:
The harlot, Babylon: wealthy, corrupt, persecuting, and destroyed.
The bride, the New Jerusalem: clothed in righteousness, beloved of Christ, given eternal glory (Revelation 19:7–8; 21:2).
The message is clear: every soul belongs to one or the other. The harlot leads to destruction; the bride leads to eternal joy with Christ.
My Final Thoughts
The harlot of Babylon is the culmination of false religion, worldly power, and corrupt wealth, uniting the nations in rebellion against God. From the Tower of Babel to Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon to the final world system, the thread of arrogance and idolatry runs unbroken. Revelation shows us her end… sudden destruction, eternal judgment, and complete ruin.
For believers, the call is urgent: “Come out of her, My people.” Do not share in her sins; do not drink her cup. Instead, remain faithful to the Lamb. Babylon is destined for fire; the bride is destined for glory. Choose Christ, not Babylon. Choose the bride, not the harlot.
